JP6941371B2 - Safety device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a safety plug, in particular to a device attached to the head of a bolt to prevent the bolt from being loosened. In particular, the present invention relates to a device that engages within a female recess of a bolt. However, the present invention is not limited to use only with bolts and / or female recesses.

Safety deterrents exist for nuts and bolts, but require special new bolts or require the bolts to be removed, safety caps attached to the bolts and the bolts reinserted.

An object of the present invention is to provide a safety plug that can be attached to a bolt or nut as it is without having to remove the nut or bolt.

In one broad form, the invention is a safety plug for fasteners with a female socket adapted to accept a first tool adapted to allow the user to relax the fastener, the first tool. A plug adapted to be inserted into a female socket to prevent it from engaging the female socket.
Complementary outer surface to the female socket,
It is provided with at least one holding member for holding the plug in the female socket and at least one second surface complementary to the at least one first surface so that the user can remove the plug from the female socket. wherein at least one of the first surface is adapted to be engaged by a second tool that is adapted to,
Thereby, the engagement of at least one first surface and the second surface provides the engagement between the second tool and the plug, and the force applied to the plug by the second tool causes the plug to female. Provided is a safety plug that allows it to be pulled out of the mold socket against the action of at least one retaining member.

In another broad form, the invention is a safety plug for fasteners with a female socket adapted to accept the first tool, preventing the first tool from engaging the female socket. A plug that is adapted to be inserted into a female socket for use.
Complementary outer surface to the female socket,
Includes at least one holding member for holding the plug within the female socket and at least one detachable part fitted to be engaged by a second tool.
Thereby, the engagement between the second tool and the plug provides a safety plug that allows the plug to be pulled out from the female socket against the action of the holding member by the force applied to the plug by the second tool. ..

The applied force may be one or more of the axial force, the rotational force, and the radial force.

The engagement between the first surface and the second surface may be a mechanical engagement or a magnetic engagement.

The engagement between the at least one detachable portion and the second tool may be a mechanical engagement or a magnetic engagement.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, engagement occurs by bringing the two components together so that they engage mechanically or magnetically.

The holding member is preferably a magnet, but may include a mechanical connection to the socket. For example, the holding member may include at least one protrusion that engages the socket, preferably the side wall (s) of the socket. The at least one protrusion defines at least a portion of the at least one thread so that the rotation of the plug by the second tool may result in the pulling out of the plug.

The holding member includes a stretchable holding member or assembly, whereby the stretching may move at least one contact surface of the holding member into an engaged or disengaged state with the socket.

The holding member includes a first portion and a second portion, whereby the rotation of the first portion with respect to the second portion may increase the dimensions of the assembly.

The first surface is preferably conical or conical. The first surface is more preferably provided with a Morse taper or a taper similar to the Morse taper.

The first surface may be an inner surface or an outer surface.

The plug may include a tubular portion, and the first surface may be an inner surface of the tubular portion.

The first surface may include a free end and an inner end. The free end may have a diameter larger than the diameter of the inner end.

The plug may include one or more stop surfaces to limit the position of the second tool with respect to the plug.

The plug may include at least one protrusion if the first surface is at least partially defined by at least a portion of the inner surface of the tubular portion. The protrusions may extend axially along the tubular portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the main portion of the protrusion comprises at least one of a conical surface and a conical surface. Preferably, the main part includes a conical surface and a conical surface extending from the conical surface, but may include a conical surface. The main part comprises a conical surface, preferably the vertices of the conical surface are located adjacent to or near the open end.

The protrusions may be formed integrally with the first surface or as separate components.

In one embodiment, the plug is in a state in which a shell defining a first surface, an opening and a recess having an opening and an inner end separated from the opening, a spacer , and the spacer sandwiched between the inner end and a magnet. Includes magnets placed in recesses.

The plug may include a tubular portion having at least a portion of the inner surface that defines the first surface.

The tubular portion preferably has an opening at the inner end. The spacer may include a protrusion that extends through the opening and into the tubular portion.

At least one holding member may be at least one removing member.

In one embodiment, the at least one holding member comprises at least two bar magnets, with at least two of the at least two bar magnets arranged with opposite poles adjacent to each other. ..

At least two bar magnets may extend within the plug and physically or magnetically expose the other pole to the action of the removal tool.

The present invention also provides a combination of the plug as described above and a second tool having a second surface complementary to the first surface of the plug.

It is a perspective view of the safety plug according to 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the safety plug of FIG. It is a perspective view of the safety plug of FIG. 1 attached to a bolt having a female Allen key socket. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the safety plug and bolt of FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the safety plug and removal tool of FIG. 1 attached to a bolt having a female Allen key socket. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a safety plug of FIG. 1 attached to a bolt having a female Allen key socket, with a removal tool engaged with the plug. It is a perspective view from above of the safety plug according to the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view from the bottom of the safety plug of FIG. It is a different perspective view from above of the safety plug of FIG. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective cross-sectional view of the safety plug of FIG. 7, a bolt used with the plug, and a removal tool. It is a perspective sectional view of the safety plug and the removal tool of FIG. 7 in the bolt used together. It is a perspective sectional view of the safety plug of FIG. 7 which is connected to the removal tool after being removed from the bolt used together. It is a top view from above of the safety plug of FIG. 7 in the bolt used together. Top view of the safety plug of FIG. 7 in the bolts used together, showing another possible relative position of the holding member. It is a perspective view of the safety plug according to the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the safety plug of FIG. It is a top view from above of the safety plug of FIG. It is a side sectional view of the safety plug of FIG. FIG. 15 is a side sectional view of the safety plug of FIG. 15 attached to a bolt and engaged with a removal tool. It is a partial detailed view of FIG. It is a perspective view of the safety plug according to another embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the safety plug of FIG.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, a safety plug 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

The plug 10 is composed of a shell 12, a magnet 14, and a spike member 16. The spike member 16 is optional, but provides additional safety features. The shell 12 and spike member 16 are preferably non-magnetic and may be made of stainless steel, titanium or any other suitable material.

The plug 10 of this embodiment is intended to be inserted into the female hexagonal Allen key socket 18 of the bolt 20 and slipped into the socket 18. Therefore, the shell 12 includes a hexagonal peripheral surface 22 corresponding to the hexagon of the socket 18.

The present invention is not limited to use in hexagonal Allen key systems and may be used in conjunction with other fastening systems. Other fastening systems include those with a star-shaped recess, usually with six vertices, with or without center pins, and other polygonal systems, typically with four or five faces, with or without center pins. , Or any suitable socket type, but is not limited to these. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface 22 may be deformed to match the intended female socket.

The shell 12 includes a central spike member 16 which is a spacer with a central spike, and a lower recess 24 and an upper recess 26 which are second recesses for receiving the magnet 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower recess 24 comprises a cylindrical surface 28 having a constant diameter in plan view, but the surface 28 need not be circular or have a constant cross-sectional shape.

The conical surface 30 extends from the surface 28 to the upper recess 26.

The central spike member 16 includes a corresponding conical surface 32. If desired, the surfaces 30 and 32 may have other shapes. For example, the surface 30 may be a surface extending radially in a plane.

The surface 30 extends radially inward from the surface 32, but this is not important. If desired, the surface 30 may extend radially inward as much as or more than the surface 32.

The central spike member 16 includes an annular surface 34 extending radially inward from the surface 32, and the central spike 36 extends toward the open end 46 and into the upper recess 26. The central spike 36 comprises a transition surface 38, a first conical surface 40 and a conical surface 42 terminating at apex 44. The apex 44 is located near the plane of the open end 46 to prevent tools other than the appropriate tool from being inserted into the upper recess 26. The apex 44 may be co-planar with the open end 46 or may be slightly recessed with respect to the open end 46, but preferably does not extend beyond the plane.

If desired, the central spike does not need to have separate faces 40 and 42, but needs to have one or more faces. The surfaces 40 and 42 are flat in the cross section, but this is not important and, if desired, the surfaces 40 and 42 may include a curved surface of revolution. Using a surface that is not a constant distance from the axis prevents gripping with pliers or the like; applying compressive force will drive the gripping tool towards apex 44.

The magnet 14 is secured to the shell and / or central spike member 16 by various mechanical methods, such as by gluing or crimping or by one or more of other suitable methods.

In the illustrated embodiment, the magnet 14 extends downward beyond the lower edge 50 of the shell. This is not important and the bottom surface 52 of the magnet may be flush with the bottom edge 50.

Depending on the shape of the bottom surface 54 of the female socket, the bottom surface 52 of the magnet may be non-planar. Some fasteners include a central pin extending from the bottom surface 52 to the open end 46, and the magnet may accordingly include a central recess or opening. If desired, the central spike member 16 may include recesses or openings to receive such pins. If such a recess or opening is provided, it does not need to be slip-fitted with the central pin.

The side wall 56 of the magnet 14 may be provided with a circumferential recess 58 to allow the magnet to adhere to the shell 12 and / or to crimp the shell 12 to the magnet 14. The recess 30 is not important and may be omitted. If desired, a series of axially extending slots or grooves may be provided in either or both of the magnet and the shell to receive the adhesive.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shell 12 comprises a series of legs 60, with each end 62 of the legs 60 overlapping the recess 58 and separated from the recess so that it can be crimped. The curvature of the leg 60 does not significantly affect the fitting of the shell in the female socket 18. The legs 60 are not required and the shell may be formed with continuous surfaces, as seen in FIGS. 21 and 22. This is achieved by using small diameter magnets for the shell.

The upper concave portion 26 includes an inner surface 70 of a conical portion tapered inward and downward toward the magnet 14. The surface 70 is preferably Morse taper or similar to Morse taper, but other tapers may be used. The Morse taper preferably allows the complementary male and female members having the Morse taper to self-hold.

The lower end 72 of the surface 70 is larger in diameter than the lower end of the surface 40 and / or the transition wall 38, so that a gap exists between the lower end 72 and the spike 36.

The conical wall surface 74 extends upward and inward from above the hexagonal outer surface 22.

In use, the safety plug 10 is only inserted into the female socket 18 of the bolt after the bolt has been inserted and tightened. There is no need to remove or loosen bolts for existing installations. In FIG. 3 and subsequent drawings, the bolt 20 is shown located within a further safety sleeve 76 that prevents gripping the outer surface of the bolt 20. The sleeve 76 is not part of the present invention.

The total height of the plug 10 allows the plug to extend at least to the end 80 of the female hex socket, and more preferably to the free end 78 of the bolt when fully inserted into the socket 18. Most bolts with a female socket tend to have a conical wall 82 around the female socket to help center the associated male tool into the female socket.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, the hexagonal outer surface 22 does not extend to the total height of the female socket 18. This is to accommodate bolts with female sockets of different depths, in which case the hexagonal outer surface 22 is placed inside the female socket and completely or slightly outside the female socket when installed. However, it is preferable that it does not extend. If a significant portion of the hexagonal outer surface 22 extends outside the female socket 18, this would provide a non-spherical surface that can be gripped to turn the bolt 20.

The outer conical surface 74 blocks access to the exposed portion of the female socket 18 and prevents engagement by the hexagonal tool.

When inserted into the female socket 18, the magnet 14 holds the plug 10 in the bolt 20 by a magnetic force with the bolt 20. As such, the plug does not fall out of the socket 18 during normal use and does not exhibit a surface that is easy to grip, so it cannot be easily pulled out of the socket without a suitable tool.

Once inserted into the female socket, the plug is securely held in the socket.

Complementary tool 100 is required to remove the plug. The tool comprises a tubular member 102 having a conical outer surface 104 tapered to a small diameter of the free end 106. The outer surface 104 has the same taper as the surface 50. The inner surface 108 of the tubular member 102 is sized large enough to allow the tubular member 102 to be inserted into the upper recess 26 and to be engaged with the surface 50 by the outer surface 104 before engaging with the surface of the central spike 36. You just need to. The inner surface 108 may be a cylindrical hole.

At the time of use, the tubular member 102 is inserted into the recess 26. The outer diameter of the free end 106 is the same as the diameter of the surface 50 at the position 110 between the inner end and the outer end. Therefore, the tubular member 102 may be inserted until the free end 106 reaches position 110. At this position, the surface 50 and the surface 104 have the same taper and therefore engage over the entire overlapping region. A small downward pressure forces the surface 50 and the surface 104 into close contact. With such a tapered connection, the male surface 104 expands the female surface 50 very slightly, so that the compressive force applied to the male surface 104 by the female surface 50 connects the two components.

The amount of overlap between the surface 50 and the surface 104 is selected to provide sufficient "grip" to overcome the tightening / friction between the magnet 14 and the hexagonal wall surface 22 and the socket 18. ..

After that, the user may apply an outward pulling force to the tubular member 100 to pull out the plug 10 from the socket 18. As a result, the socket 18 is freely accessible with the appropriate tools.

Therefore, the plug does not include the plug, which allows the bolt to be directly loosened or tightened by a complementary tool.

As described above, the inner diameter 108 is dimensioned so that there is a gap between the inner diameter and the central spike 36 and there is no interaction with the central spike.

Morse taper has a taper of about 5/8 inch per foot, about one twentieth. There is some variation in this taper for different "standard" Morse tapers. As mentioned above, the taper used is similar to Morse taper or Morse taper, but does not have to be a standard Morse taper. The reason is that the plugs according to the invention are made with different taper angles and different diameters with respect to position 110 to provide multiple combinations of the plug 10 and the tool 100.

The tubular portion 102 of the tool 100 will only engage the recesses 26 with the same taper and will not reliably engage (even if engaged) sockets with different tapers. Providing various tapers means that any tool is less likely to fit into a random socket.

Similarly, different diameters can prevent tools with the same taper from being used in sockets of different sizes. The first tool, which has the same taper angle as the second tool designed for use with the recess 26, but has a free end 106 with a larger diameter than the second tool, engages the surface 50 near the open end than the second tool. Will be done. Therefore, the amount of overlap between the plug 10 and the tool and the resulting gripping force are smaller.

Below a certain threshold, its gripping function will not make the plug 10 removable. A tool with the same taper angle but with a reduced diameter free end 106 may be further inserted into the recess 26, but the annular and / or spike planes limit inward movement and taper planes. Will prevent it from engaging with anything. By selecting a position 110 close to the inner end of the surface 50, the range for using the tool having the free end 106 of the reduced diameter is limited.

7 to 13 show the safety plug 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The plug 200 includes a shell 202 having an outer shape similar to that of the plug 10 of the first embodiment. The plug comprises a hexagonal side surface 204 and a conical top surface 206. The central conical spike 208 extends upward within the recess 210. The shell 202 includes two holes 212 in which two bar magnets 214 and 216 are arranged. The bar magnet extends outward from the bottom surface 218 of the shell 202, and the upper ends 220 and 222 of the bar magnet are formed so as to be flush with the surface formed by the recess 210 and the central spike 208. preferable.

The two bar magnets 214 and 216 are arranged so that their adjacent ends have opposite poles. Therefore, the lower end 224 of the magnet 216 may be the south pole and the lower end 226 of the magnet 214 may be the north pole, while the ends 222 and 220 are the north pole and the south pole.

The plug fits into the socket 230 of the bolt 232 and is dimensioned so that it is held in the socket by the magnetic forces of the two magnets 214 and 216.

Removing the plug requires a tool 240, which includes two bar magnets 242 and 244, with the opposite poles at the lower ends of the magnets located within the support member 246. The lower end of the tool 240 complements the upper end of the plug 200 so that the bar magnets 242 and 244 may be placed on the plug in a state where they are aligned with the bar magnets 214 and 216 in the plug 200. The magnetic force between the four magnets is stronger than the magnetic force between the magnets 214 and 216 and the bolt 232, so the user simply pulls the tool 240 away from the socket 230, as shown in FIG. The plug can be pulled out from.

By using magnets with opposite poles, removal by a single magnet is prevented.

FIG. 13 shows a plan view of the plug 200, which is inside the bolt 232 and has magnets 214 and 216 arranged so as to face each other in the radial direction. However, as shown in FIG. 14, the two magnets do not have to be arranged so as to face each other in the radial direction, and are partially arranged at random positions as shown by the circle 250. May be good. The circle 250 is shown to be on the same radius, but the two magnets do not have to be located at the same radial distance from the centerline.

Placing the magnets at positions other than those facing each other in the radial direction provides a significant number of combinations and requires a matching removal tool 240.

Whereas the illustrated embodiment comprises two magnets, three or more magnets may be used, which further increases the number of possible combinations.

15 to 20 show the safety plug 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The safety plug 300 includes a plug portion 304 having a circular outer surface 306 and a shell 302 having a cap portion 308 extending radially from the base portion 304.

The diameter of the plug portion 304 is dimensioned to fit into the socket 310 of the bolt 312. The cap portion 308 limits the depth at which the plug is inserted into the socket 310.

The plug portion 304 includes at least one protrusion 314. The protrusion 314 is shown as a simple circle in the drawing, but may be part of a thread.

The protrusions 314 need not be a single continuous protrusion, and a series of protrusions may be present side by side along one or more annular or spiral paths. The protrusion 314 snaps into place with the socket and thus bites into the surface of the socket to hold the plug in the socket.

The plug 300 may include a slot 316 that allows the plug to be slightly retractable when inserted into the socket, thus providing an outward force to the protrusions (s).

The plug 300 includes an upper recess 320 and a central protrusion 318, which extends upward from the top of the cap portion 308, as best seen in FIGS. 16 and 18. The plug may be hammered into the socket by hammering against the central protrusion 318 or otherwise.

The surface 322 of the recess 320 comprises a Morse taper or a taper similar to the Morse taper in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The tool 324 has a tubular portion 326 with an outer surface 328 having a Morse taper complementary to the surface 322 or a taper similar to the Morse taper.

When inserting the tool into the plug 300, the user may use the tool to pull the plug 300 out of the socket. If the protrusions (s) 314 define at least one thread, this may require a rotational motion applied to the plug, either alone or in combination with an axial tensile motion. If not, a simple pulling motion may be sufficient. The taper surface modification described in connection with the first embodiment is equally applicable to this embodiment.

21 and 22 show a safety plug 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The plug is substantially similar to the plug 10 of the first embodiment and functions in substantially the same way.

The plug 400 comprises a shell 412, a magnet 414 and a spike member 416 which is a spacer. The shell 412 comprises a recess 470 with a Morse taper, which engages the outer surface 104 of the tool 100 with a complementary Morse taper.

The plug 400 differs from the plug 10 in that the magnet 414 and the spike member 416 each have a proportionally smaller diameter than the shell 412. Therefore, the shell 412 may include a continuous hexagonal peripheral surface 422, and the lower recess 424 may be a cylindrical hole. In this embodiment, the magnet does not include a circumferential recess corresponding to the recess 58 of the plug 10. Instead, the magnet 414 and spike member 416 are held using other methods. The magnet 414 and optionally the spike member 416 may be clamped into the recess 424. Alternatively, or in addition, the magnet and optionally the spike member 416 may be held using glue or adhesive. It will be appreciated that if the magnet 414 is securely held in the recess 424, the spike member 416 is also held.

Throughout the specification and claims, the word "comprise, comprising" etc., etc., have an inclusive meaning as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive meaning; It shall be interpreted as meaning "including but not limited".

The features of the invention described or referred to herein may be combined in any combination of features, provided that the features are not mutually exclusive.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many obvious modifications and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims (26)

A safety plug for the fastener comprising a female socket adapted to accept a first tool adapted to allow the fastener to be relaxed , wherein the first tool engages the female socket. A plug that is adapted to be inserted into the female socket to prevent
An outer surface that complements the female socket,
A holding member that holds the plug in the female socket, and
The plug comprises at least one detachable portion adapted to be engaged by a second tool adapted to be removable from the female socket.
One of the plug and the second tool comprises at least one longitudinally extending first recess having at least one conical or conical engaging surface.
The plug and the other of the second tool are adapted to engage the at least one engaging surface.
Thereby, the engagement between the second tool and the plug makes it possible to pull out the plug from the female socket against the action of the holding member by the force applied to the plug by the second tool. A safety plug. The safety plug according to claim 1, wherein the engagement of the plug by the second tool comprises bringing the second tool into contact with at least one detachable portion. The safety plug according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engagement of the plug by the second tool comprises bringing the second tool into contact with at least one detachable portion. The safety according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the female socket has a longitudinal direction, and engagement of the plug by the second tool comprises moving together in the longitudinal direction. plug. The safety plug according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein one of the plug and the second tool includes at least one longitudinally extending first protrusion. Wherein said at least one removable portion other second tool, the engagement with at least one of the at least one engagement surface of the first protrusion, the safety plug according to claim 5. The safety plug according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the at least one first protrusion extends longitudinally in the at least one first recess. The at least one detachable portion comprises at least one first engaging surface and is engaged by a second tool comprising at least one second surface complementary to the at least one first engaging surface. It is adapted so that the engagement between the at least one first surface and the second surface provides an engagement between the second tool and the plug by the force applied in the axial direction. The safety plug according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the plug can be pulled out from the female socket against the action of the holding member. At least one of the first engagement surface is provided with a taper similar to Morse taper or Morse taper, safety plug according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Any of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the at least one removable portion comprises at least one first magnet north pole and at least one first magnet south pole for engaging the complementary poles of the second tool. The safety plug described in item 1. The at least one N pole of the first magnet and the S pole of the at least one first magnet have equal magnetic forces, so that a single magnetic pole installed adjacent to the at least one detachable portion is the first N pole. The safety plug according to claim 10, which will have substantially the same attractive and repulsive forces as the poles and south poles.
The safety plug according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the at least one holding member includes at least one magnet that engages with a fastener having at least one magnetic portion. Claims 1 to claim that the at least one holding member includes at least one second magnet north pole and at least one second magnet south pole for engaging with a fastener having at least one magnetic portion. The safety plug according to any one of 12. The safety plug according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , which includes a second recess and at least one holding member arranged in the second recess. The safety plug according to claim 14 , wherein the second recess is provided with a second opening at an inner end communicating with the first recess. The safety plug according to claim 14 , further comprising a spacer arranged in the second recess sandwiched between the inner end and the at least one holding member. The safety plug according to claim 16 , wherein the spacer includes a protrusion extending through the opening and into the first recess. The safety plug according to claim 16 or 17 , wherein the spacer is non-magnetic. The safety plug according to any one of claims 15 to 18 , wherein at least a part of the at least one holding member extends through the opening and into the first recess. The safety plug according to any one of claims 1 to 19 , wherein the at least one holding member engages with the side wall of the socket. Claims 1 to 20 , wherein the at least one holding member defines at least a portion of at least one thread, whereby the rotation of the plug by the second tool causes the plug to be pulled out. The safety plug described in any one of the items. Claim that the at least one holding member comprises a stretchable assembly, whereby the stretch moves at least one contact surface of the assembly into an engaged or disengaged state with the socket. The safety plug according to any one of 1 to 21. Claims 1 to claim that the at least one holding member includes a first portion and a second portion, whereby the rotation of the first portion with respect to the second portion increases the dimensions of the at least one holding member. Item 2. The safety plug according to any one of Item 22. The safety plug according to any one of claims 1 to 23 , wherein the at least one holding member includes at least one removable portion. A combination of the safety plug according to any one of claims 1 to 24 and the second tool complementary to the plug. The first magnetic pole and complementary magnetic poles of the first magnetic pole are arranged in the at least one detachable portion and the second tool, whereby the at least one first N pole of the at least one detachable portion. At least one is aligned with the complementary south pole of the second tool, and at least one of the at least one first S pole of the at least one detachable portion is aligned with the complementary north pole of the second tool. 25. The combination according to claim 25, which is subordinate to claim 10.

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